WDI’s Base of the Pyramid (BoP) research initiative, under the direction of Dr. Ted London, is a global leader in the BoP domain. The initiative has carved out a unique niche in working with leadership teams across sectors to enhance venture development, provide strategies to facilitate market creation, and generate mutual value by assessing and improving poverty alleviation impacts. We create new actionable knowledge at the forefront of the intersection of business strategy and poverty alleviation. Our objective is to help for-profit enterprises, non-profit initiatives, and development organizations grow successful BoP enterprises while maximizing their poverty alleviation outcomes. We also think deeply about the power of different BoP business models to achieve specific economic and social outcomes.

The initiative also provides advice and support to improve the design and execution of cross-sector collaboration. Additionally, we work in the field with a variety of partners in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, host innovative workshops, and convene key players for major conferences. Our overall goal is to have a substantial and long-lasting impact on the design and development of business ventures that serve the four billion people in BoP markets. We offer three unique programs to support these goals: a leadership program; centers of excellence; and strategies for assessing and enhancing impact.